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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Yet, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a plan that was gathering growing support and made it evident they were prepared to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly accepted the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will start developing a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries obtained a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the renewable industry

Differing opinions

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one policy director.

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a era of global disagreements, agreement is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between our current position and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.